Is anyone still fishing?!?!?!?

[wgmiller]

Holy cow, some of the gauges are the lowest I've ever seen. We're quickly running out of places to wet a line. Toss in fall spawning and it's shaping up to be a quiet fall on the water.

Here's a story on how bad things are in Erie:

 

[tjsingle]

I've gotten out a fair amount this past October, mainly to places I know have consistent flow. However, the lack of water throughout the state has put a damper on a lot of my plans.

 

[Wild_Trouter]

Yep, but you're right. Save for a few nondescript spring creeks in my area, options are really limited. Walked a few Class A brookie streams yesterday to observe some spawning, and I'm glad they are so resilient. My worry now is that many of the creeks will ice over in Winter and negatively affect the spawn. Pro Tip...One of the most relaxing things ever is to watch a pool of brilliantly colored brookies bang. Nature at its finest 😁🤘

 

[Swattie87]

Im not fishing for Steelhead, but I’m done til it rains, not so much on the spawn necessarily. And not necessarily because the fish aren’t ok, they are, just because it’s not much fun to fish in conditions this low.

I usually take a couple weeks off each year to coincide with deer rifle season. Don’t like being in the woods and in the way potentially of those guys who only get a couple weeks a year to hunt. With the long range forecast continuing to not show much in the way of rain, I’m beginning to think this might be an extended break. I’m behind on projects around the house, so I have a little bit of a backlog to keep my weekends busy, but I’ll be jonesin’ to fish after a little while I’m sure.

 

[Broodstock]

I have been fishing in pre-spawn, which has been good. The low water has been tough - but allows for the rare opportunity to sight fish in PA. Temps have been great, and there are still fish rising. I have focused on limestoners and tailwaters, leaving the freestone streams alone.

Now that spawn is in full swing I likely will focus on other things for a while.

 

[jifigz]

It is a great time to pursue smallmouth in the rivers. The bite is often on fire at this time of the year, and the weather has been so enjoyable. I recommend giving that a go.

While I make the recommendation, I haven't been fishing. It is all about the hunting for me now.

 

[Broodstock]

It is a great time to pursue smallmouth in the rivers. The bite is often on fire at this time of the year, and the weather has been so enjoyable. I recommend giving that a go.

Yes. Streamers are still working on them. A 16" SM fights harder than a 20" brown on a 4 weight also.

 

[Andrwhite610]

I gave about 30 minutes each to a couple small Berks streams this weekend. Needless to say I won’t be fishing those for a while.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

One of my sons just spent a week near Slate Run. He took a lot of hikes on the big creek and Slate Run that were interrupted by bringing 8 fish to hand. I haven't been able to make a significant trip since early June.

 

[troutbert]

One of my sons just spent a week near Slate Run. He took a lot of hikes on the big creek and Slate Run that were interrupted by bringing 8 fish to hand.

"Golf is a good walk spoiled."

It's the same with trout fishing.

 

[RLeep2]

Steelhead? Pffft..

I'm stockpiling perch and will be until PI Bay drops below 50F, which will be a while yet. My only complaint is that it takes a while to get the nightcrawler muck out from under my fingernails.

 

[Nocktavius]

Low water makes it easier to see and avoid fish on redds. Plenty of water still in our bigger freestones, tailwaters and some of the limestoners. I flyfish in all seasons except when the water is greater than 65 F or below 32 F, life's too short not to.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Steelhead? Pffft..

I'm stockpiling perch and will be until PI Bay drops below 50F, which will be a while yet. My only complaint is that it takes a while to get the nightcrawler muck out from under my fingernails.

Minnows only leave a stink with hardly any muck. My dad made a lot of good memories for be by taking me fishing for perch, smelt, and any other panfish in the Lake or Bay when we lived in Lawrence Park. We almost always used minnows.

 

[RLeep2]

Minnows only leave a stink with hardly any muck. My dad made a lot of good memories for be by taking me fishing for perch, smelt, and any other panfish in the Lake or Bay when we lived in Lawrence Park. We almost always used minnows.

Actually, there is something that is probably better than either crawlers or minnows or at least less muss and fuss. Take one or two worms fishing and catch one decent bluegill. Use a sharp knife to cut 3/8 X 1" long strips from his flank and stick one of them on a hook. I grew up fishing LeBoeuf for crappie and after we started using fish strips, we threw the minnow net and bucket away. I didn't mind. Minnows are a PITA to catch and keep.

I will now stop posting off topic...🙂

 

[bigjohn358]

I went fishing last weekend on the West Branch Susquehanna and I could see bottom in 18 feet of water! I've never seen it that clear before. One time before I recall seeing down to 11 foot.

 

[Forestfishin]

I’ve never really fished for natives or wild fish in the fall much. Used to fish some of the stocked streams around this time but most have been removed from fall stocking.

Smallmouth aren’t cooperating with me for some reason this fall so I’ve been out a few times for trout.

Trips are mostly to scout native streams for the future but take a rod just because. Such a good time to just be out in the woods. Easy to see and avoid spawning areas in the low clear water and only catching 3 to 4 inch fish on dries in other areas. It’s been worthwhile and I’ll head out a few more times before rifle season. Don’t hunt but avoid the woods for those few weeks.

 

[Forestfishin]

I went fishing last weekend on the West Branch Susquehanna and I could see bottom in 18 feet of water! I've never seen it that clear before. One time before I recall seeing down to 11 foot.

Same last week on the lower Yough. There are deep holes that are crystal clear and I could see groups of smallmouth but they weren’t interested in anything. Frustrating as hell but really cool at the same time.

 

[5footfenwick]

I went fishing last weekend on the West Branch Susquehanna and I could see bottom in 18 feet of water! I've never seen it that clear before. One time before I recall seeing down to 11 foot.

How was the fishing?

 

[Nymph-wristed]

I fished only 4 times in October. Fish were caught, but I am likely switching to surf fishing a bit earlier this year. As noted above, fishing in water this low is not all that fun sometimes.

A few shots from last Tuesday on a certain Central PA destination creek whose gauge shows better than the actual conditions on the ground, for sure.

 

[troutbert]

I went fishing last weekend on the West Branch Susquehanna and I could see bottom in 18 feet of water! I've never seen it that clear before. One time before I recall seeing down to 11 foot.

Where is the West Branch Susquehanna 18 feet deep?

Most of it seems pretty shallow.